Singapore looking to change track layout

Singapore Grand Prix officials are looking to alter the layout of their track ahead of the 2011 event.

They are considering shortening the circuit to lower lap times around the night-race venue. According to the local paper Today, the plan would be to remove the stadium section, where Nelson Piquet Jnr had his infamous crash, and replace the three 90 degree turns - seven, eight and nine - with a simple left hander going around the War Memorial rather than inside it.

The current layout is one of the longest in the sport, with the lap record standing at 1:48.240s. Singapore's tourist board insisted it would not be making any major changes ahead of this year's race and that any alterations would only be considered if they improved the show.

"We are always looking to see how we can improve the Singapore Grand Prix," said the tourism board's Justin Chew. "If it is for the good of the race and makes it more exciting for fans and drivers, we will consider it."

The new layout is also being planned to incorporate a number of changes to the city infrastructure, including a new subway station.

"We are not going to make any significant changes to the track, but we will start looking at certain key changes to be implemented in 2011," added Chew. "Of course, there is a new footprint coming around our circuit park, which is a new MRT station, the double helix bridge and the Marina Bay Sands and those would have impact as well."

The Malaysian Grand Prix venue in Sepang is also undergoing some minor changes ahead of this year's race.

Track CEO Razlan Razali said: "Works are in progress to repair and upgrade the pit area, the roof structure and to add more facilities for the benefit of spectators coming to watch the race."